Country singer Larry Gatlin to come to Victoria

IF YOU GO

• INFO: To purchase tickets, call 361-570-8587 or visit the Welder Center from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at theatrevictoria.org.

About Larry Gatlin

Larry Gatlin is best-known for his '80s hits with the Gatlin Brothers, but prior to forming and leading that family trio, he enjoyed a successful solo career with occasional support from his brothers. Gatlin was born in Seminole, Texas and raised on country gospel music. Gatlin's debut album, The Pilgrim, produced his first charting country single, "Sweet Becky Walker," which inched into the Top 40. In 1974, "Delta Dirt" was his first Top 20 hit, taken from the album Rain Rainbow. Gatlin's brothers first made their presence felt on his third album, Larry Gatlin with Family and Friends, which gave him his first Top Five hit in "Broken Lady." The song was so successful that Gatlin won a Grammy award for the song in 1977 for best country song. Sometimes accompanied by his brothers, Gatlin scored three more Top Five singles in 1977 ("I Don't Wanna Cry," "Love Is Just a Game," and "Statues Without Hearts"), and in 1978 scored his first number one, "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love."

SOURCE: Jessica Gumm, Bluebonnet Youth Ranch

Grammy Award winner and country artist Larry Gatlin plans to bring more country to an already country-proud Crossroads.

Gatlin is the last in the charity concert series, which benefits Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, the Lions Club and Theatre Victoria.

John Rex Reeves, the nephew of country singer Jim Reeves and former pro football player Mike Reid turned country artist lead the series earlier this year.

For Claud Jacobs, a Bluebonnet Youth Ranch founder, is excited to have Gatlin, who has supported Bluebonnet Youth Ranch since 1975.

"Larry has been a good friend of mine," Jacobs said. "He is so diverse."

The charity concert series has been going on for four years, but did two years consecutively, and then took a break, and did the other two years, he said.

The series tries to bring entertainers who will capture the Crossroads audience, Jacobs said. The series has brought singers of all sorts and even magicians.

The goal this year is to for the series to raise $10,000 per organization, Jacobs said.

"We're not only trying to raise money, but we are also trying to bring in good talent," Jacobs said.